"No way, it worked too?"
Yeah, I'm shocked by what I see, so let me tell you how it comes to this.
Ever since I brought back rice and soybeans from Kimberly's villa, there's been something nagging at me. Sure, Heiligeichen has rice and soybeans… but they don't have any miso, soy sauce, or even sake.
So, I decided to try something.
I soaked rice overnight, steamed it until it was perfectly cooked but not mushy, then laid it out on a tray covered with cloth. Day by day, I checked on it like a paranoid parent.
And when I peeled back the cloth and saw those grains had turned pale yellow-green and smelled faintly sweet, I couldn't describe how delighted I was.
Kōji.
The prized fungus that's essential for making miso, soy sauce, and sake... I actually made it grow. And I didn't waste time pounding it into kōji-tane and putting it to work.
Right now, I'm standing in our terrace garden. In front of me, there are two trays I've been incubating for two days: one with cooked soybeans mixed with flour and kōji-tane, and another with steamed rice only mixed with kōji-tane. And just like before, they're coming along beautifully. The rice has that warm, sweet aroma, and the soybeans are starting to transform.
Yomogi, Chantal, and Kimberly, who have been with me every single time for this fermentation process, now become even more curious.
Yomogi asks first, then she pouts from my teasing answer.
"Motegi-chan, you've been doing this almost every day now. What are you making?"
"Secret."
"Mou, you say that again…"
Chantal crosses her arms, clearly impatient.
"So, can I eat them now, Motegi-kun?"
"Nope. Not yet."
"Tch."
Kimberly tilts her head in confusion.
"I… still don't... understand... why you don't... eat the rice... directly… Motegi-sama…"
"I told you, haven't I? I'm going to show you that rice and soybeans can become something way better than the Heiligeichen's 'elder food' you said."
Then, I clap my hands.
"Alright, help me out. Yomogi, grab the brine. Chantal, bring the cooked soybeans and salt. Kimberly, I need the steamed rice in the small wooden tub."
"Yes..."
Just before they head inside, Yomogi turns back to me.
"Will you really tell us what you're making this time?"
"Yup."
Chantal narrows her eyes.
"Really?"
"I do."
Kimberly nods.
"Then… we look forward... to it…"
"Of course."
A few moments later, they return with things as I asked.
"Thank you, girls."
I start with the soybeans, carefully transferring them into a brown ceramic jar.
"Yomogi, can you pour in the brine?"
"Okay!"
She obeys and does it gently, and once it's done, I put a cloth on top of the jar.
"Now we cover it with this cloth, then tie it up. Perfect."
After that, I rise up and turn to Yomogi, explaining what I make, and her eyes immediately sparkle.
"Well, I'm making soy sauce. It's a must-have condiment for cooking."
"'Must-have'? That sounds delicious already! How long does it take?"
I rub the back of my neck, laughing awkwardly.
"Uhh… about six months."
"Six months?!"
"Sorry… that's just how soy sauce is made."
And just like that, her ears are drooping in disappointment and longing.
Next, I scoop half of the incubated rice into the cooked soybeans and salt.
"Chantal, help me shape these into balls."
"Alright!"
Then, we form them into firm balls, and I guide her as she presses them tightly into a smaller ceramic jar. I cover and tie it shut like the first, then explain what I make.
"This one's miso. Also a must-have in cooking."
"How do I eat it?"
"You can put it in soup, and a lot more."
"Okay, and how long does it take?"
"Just about a month."
And she is delighted.
"Nice! Not as long as the soy sauce!"
Finally, I pour the rest of the incubated rice into the wooden tub of steamed rice, then walk over to the faucet. I twist the Water magic stone, filling the tub just enough, then return to Kimberly.
"This one's for sake, the best alcohol ever."
And her eyes gleam.
"Is that… really true… Motegi-sama…?"
"Definitely."
Then, she curiously looks at the tub.
"But… why you... don't... cover it… like the others...?"
"It's deliberate. This is just the starter."
"I see. How long… will it... take?"
"The starter needs about two weeks. Then we'll add more ingredients for another four days. After that, the real fermentation begins, and it takes about two or four weeks."
"Understood…"
Honestly, I can already imagine when these three things are done. Warm bowls of miso soup and cups of sake while sitting on the sunloungers at night, and then ramen, sukiyaki, sushi, karaage, and even fried rice too.
Then, I head over to the fence, crouching down to the shaded spot beneath it where I left the cloth-covered tray about a week ago, and I carefully peel it back.
"Whoa!"
Again, I'm surprised and delighted. The cacao beans have darkened into a rich, earthy brown as delicate veins line their surfaces, and a fine layer of white mold clings to them.
Another fermentation worked.
Yomogi steps beside me and peers down.
"Motegi-chan, is that the thing from last week?"
"Yup, but it's not quite ready yet."
"Again?"
"Yeah, but it won't be long, Yomogi. I promise."
"You better be, okay?"
Phew...
She's not disappointed again when I say it doesn't take forever like the soy sauce.
Kimberly walks to me next.
"Do you… truly want… to make… something... incredible… from this… Motegi-sama…?"
"Of course. Didn't I already tell you that a week ago, Kimberly?"
"Yes..."
After that, I stand up and turn to Chantal with my hands bringing that tray.
"Alright, let's head inside, shall we? Chantal, can you grab that miso?"
"Got it."
She nods and takes that small ceramic jar, and with that, the four of us step back inside together. Arriving at the kitchen, I turn to Chantal.
"Put the miso on the counter, Chantal."
"Yes!"
Once she obediently sets the jar down gently, I move toward the oven and twist the Fire magic stone embedded on it. Once it feels warm enough, I slide the cacao tray into it and close the lid before I turn to the girls.
"That needs to roast first before the next step."
Yomogi huffs softly.
"Still more steps, Motegi-chan?"
"Of course. That's why I called it incredible. The process is long, but the result won't betray you."
Kimberly stands and also looks a little impatient.
"I… can't wait… to look forward… to it… Motegi-sama…"
"It won't be long, okay?"
Then, footsteps approach from the hall as Pinna steps into view.
"Master."
"Hm? What's up, Pinna?"
"You are required in the workshop."
"Don't tell me… is it done?"
"Affirmative."
"All right, let's go!"
With that, I quickly rush into Pinna's workshop, with Yomogi, Chantal, and Kimberly all following behind. And once inside, right in the center of her worktable, I can see it.
Rice cooker.
"What do you think, Master?"
"Hmm..."
Actually, when I gave her this task four days ago, she told me she'd need exactly that long, and she confirmed it for me that she wasn't pushing herself. And surprisingly, Yomogi, Chantal, and Kimberly said they wouldn't go back into the labyrinth until Pinna finished it, despite not knowing what her task was. So, I went along with them.
And now, seeing this?
Pinna wasn't bluffing.
It's not just perfect. The design is exactly like I remember from Japan, and it even has little water measurement lines inside the pot.
Without saying anything, I walk over to her and place my hands on her shoulders, as I don't speak yet.
"Master?"
"I don't even have anything to say anymore…"
I pause, and then I break into wide eyes.
"You're a genius, Pinna!"
"Understood. I am pleased you are satisfied, Master."
And yeah, I swear she's beaming on the inside again as she slightly steps aside.
"Would you like a functional explanation, Master?"
"Of course."
"Understood. Excuse me."
With that, she points at the rice cooker and begins.
"This device utilizes a sealed internal container surrounded by thermal insulation. When activated, the power source delivers uniform radiant heat. A contraction-based valve monitors the temperature. Once the moisture from the rice is absorbed and the temperature reaches threshold, it triggers the thermal cutoff to cease heating."
She moves to the dial near the front.
"This knob adjusts heat duration based on grain type. The user must add water manually using the internal measurement lines. For optimal texture, the water-to-rice ratio should be approximately 1:1.1."
I glance over to look at Yomogi, Chantal, and Kimberly, who are clearly not understanding any of Pinna's words again.
It's okay, girls.
I don't really get it either, but I get enough.
When Pinna finishes, she turns to me again.
"Do you have any questions, Master?"
"Yeah, does this thing also need a magic stone?"
She falls silent, and I instantly know what it means.
"So… that's a yes?"
"Affirmative. My internal frameworks..."
Before she can say more, I raise a hand.
"I know. Your logic still doesn't fully accept it, right?"
"Correct, Master."
Then, I ask her again.
"So, what kind do you need?"
After that, she gently tilts the rice cooker, pointing at a small port beneath it.
"One Fire magic stone. Insert it here."
"Got it."
I reach into my dimensional inventory and pull one out, fitting it into the socket. After that, I turn to the girls.
"Can we move it to the kitchen now?"
"Yes."
With that, the five of us leave the workshop and make our way back toward the kitchen. Arriving there, I gently set the rice cooker on the counter.
Then, I turn to face Yomogi, Chantal, and Kimberly, tapping the top of the machine.
"Alright, listen up. This is called a rice cooker. Like the name says, it's used to cook rice. And starting today, it's going to replace the pot."
After that, I slide the inner container out and lift it for them to see.
"This is where the rice goes, and you can see the measurements here. You'll wash it in here too, so you don't need any extra bowls."
They lean in, watching closely.
"Now, do you still remember the three rules of cooking rice?"
"Yes!"
I point at Yomogi.
"Step one?"
"Use finger measurements!"
"Good."
Then, I point at Chantal.
"Step two?"
"Don't open it once it's done boiling! Let it steam!"
"Great."
Lastly, I point at Kimberly.
"Step three?"
"Fluff up... the rice… before serving…"
"Amazing!"
They beam at the praise, and honestly, I feel proud of them. They quickly learn how to use the vacuum, the microwave, and the washing machine, so I'm confident that they'll get the hang of this rice cooker in no time.
Minutes later, the roasted cacao beans are done. I take them out and let them cool for a bit before carefully removing the brittle outer skins. One by one, the beans reveal dark, glossy nibs underneath.
I gather them into a stone mortar and start pounding with the pestle until the nibs break down into a coarse powder. Then, I pause and scoop it out briefly, sieving it until smooth and placing it into a jar.
After that, I use [Copier] to duplicate the cocoa powder and pour the copy back into the mortar. And I pound it again until the powder begins to stick, releasing oil and slowly forming a paste. I scrape the paste into a ceramic bowl and carry it to the microwave, setting the timer for a few minutes.
Back in Japan, I remembered watching a documentary once on how traditional chocolate makers would pound cacao nibs by hand, then melt them in a double boiler. But because I don't want to boil water, I decide to try using the microwave.
Actually, I thought about asking Pinna to make a food processor, just for occasions like this. But I ended up scrapping that idea because I didn't think I would really need it after that.
Unlike the vacuum cleaner, which gets dust out of tight spots. Or the washing machine, which makes drying clothes so much faster. Or the microwave, which saves me from turning on the stove. Or the rice cooker, which replaces a pot altogether… a food processor wouldn't be worth it.
Ding!
The microwave beeps, and as I pull out the bowl, I can't help but smile as the chocolate paste has melted perfectly and looks so smooth, thick, and glossy. I stir it a few times until the texture evens out, then add just a bit of powdered sugar and blend it in.
Then, I reach for the mold I made from slime gel, Needle Bees' wax, and Bitch Leeches' gelatin. I pour the warm chocolate into each mold carefully and set it aside to cool and harden.
Minutes later, the chocolate sets. I pop each bar out from the mold one by one, and I turn to the girls, holding up the finished product.
"This… is called chocolate."
Yomogi tilts her head.
"It looks like candy, Motegi-chan..."
Chantal holds hers between her fingers.
"Did this really come from that fruit?"
Kimberly runs her thumb along the surface.
"I… have never… seen anything... like this… before…"
Pinna analyzes her piece.
"No database entry matches this shape, color, or preparation method. However… the appearance is aesthetically pleasing. I am intrigued."
They all take a bite at the same time, and their reactions are instant...
Yomogi's tail flicks with delight.
"Mmm… it's bitter, but sweet!"
So is Chantal's tail.
"This is better than any sweets I've ever tasted!"
Kimberly closes her eyes to savor.
"So smooth… it melts… inside... my mouth…"
Pinna chews slowly.
"Flavor profile: moderate bitterness followed by residual sweetness. Texture: initial firmness yields to rapid melting. Overall sensory rating: satisfactory."
As usual, I ask them.
"So, you girls like it?"
And they all nod, silent but delighted.
I take a bar for myself and bite in, letting the rich flavor bloom across my tongue.
"Yeah, it's really delicious."
With that, another food makes its debut in this world, and it's chocolate this time.